Auto camper



T. L. MOODY AUTO CAMPER Feb. 6, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28,1960 mmvron I Arm/mm,

Feb. 6, 1962 T. L. MOODY 3,019,803

AUTO CAMPER Filed Jan. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5'6 \lifi 47 X x 'in 2a5; I 43 INVENTOR. THO/VH1 Z. M000) Feb. 6, 1962 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 T.L. MOODY AUTO CAMPER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 MMM {Ma Feb. 6, 1962 -r. L. MOODY3,0

AUTO CAMPER Filed Jan. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW M United StatesPatent C 3,019,803 AUTO (IAMPER Thomas L. Moody, 348 Warren Road,Hathoro, Pa. Filed Jan. 28, 196i Ser. No. 5,231 8 Claims. (Q1. 135-4)The present invention relates to an auto camper, and is concernedprimarily with improvements directed to simplicity and sureness ofoperation together with low manufacturing cost.

At the present time, a large portion of the vacationing American publicrequires the use of camping facilities, and particularly an enclosure inthe nature of a tent. Many camping kits have been provided; however,most of the known equipment along, this line is designed for storage inand assembly with trailers. This factor in itself prohibits the use ofsuch equipment in a large number of cases because of the trouble andinconvenience attending. the use of trailers.

The present invention is directed primarily at the provision of acamping kit that is designed to be stored away While not in use on thetop of a conventional automobile, but which may be extended and erectedin usable position with a minimum effort and making use of theautomobile as a supporting element. Known devices falling within thiscategory have heretofore been unduly complex and expensive, and for thisreason have met with Y an auto camper of the character indicated, asupporting framework that is secured to the top of an automobile andwhich is designed to receive the camper in a compact state and fromwhich the camper is extended into erected position with the supportingframework acting as a support for the enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper of thetype noted, a supporting framework that is adjustable to fit car bodiesof varying dimensions.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide, in anauto camper including a supportingframework of the type noted, acollapsible enclosure frame that is pivotally mounted on and connectedto the sup porting framework at one end (preferably the rear) of thelatter. This enclosure frame comprises several elements which areadapted to be folded into a compact condition and tied down to thesupporting framework. It is also adapted to be'swung rearwardly on thepivotal connection and then unfolded into an erected position.

Still another important obiect of the invention is to provide, in anauto camper of the oharacterindicated, a. pivotal connection between thesupporting framework and the enclosure frame which will accommodatevariations in the heights of the cars on which the camper might beassembled. This feature is of importance because it is do 'rable thatthe campers be standardized and yet be susceptible of use with justabout any make or style of automobile.

Another obiect of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper of thecharacter aforesaid, an enclosure frame comprising a plurality ofrectangularly shaped frame elements which are pivotal-1y connectedtogether and which are covered by canvas or a comparable fabric tocomplete the enclosure.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention areassociated with the details of these frame elements, the manner in whichthey are assembled, and the manner in which they are folded into acompact condition or unfolded into an erected position.

The invention therefore comprises a low-cost campers kit consistingessentially of a supporting framework adapted to be mounted on the topof anautomobile body "ice and to which the pivotal connection at itsrear end and enclosure frame comprise a plurality of rectangularlyshaped frame elements pivotally connected and covered by fabric.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, referencemay be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view depicting the up er portion of a car bodyand showing the auto camper of this invention mounted thereon, with theenclosure frame swung rearwardly but illustrated in its compactcondition in phantom outline;

FIGURE 2 is another perspective showing the enclosure frame in erectedposition but with the canvas or fabric omitted.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic View looking from the rear and illustratingthe manner in which the side frame elements are swung into erectedposition;

FIGURE 4 is another diagrammatic view similar to FIGURE 3, but taken ina direction normal thereto, illustrating how the end elements are swunginto erected position;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan View of the supporting framework per se, anddepicting in broken lines different adjustment positions;

FiGURE 6 is a detailed top plan view of the rear end of the supportingframework and the front end of the enclosure frame that is pivotallymounted thereon;

FiGURE 7 is a detailed vertical section through the pivotal connectionbetween the supporting framework and enclosure frame, being taken abouton the plane represented by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevation of the pivotal connection depicting themanner in which an automobile body of low height is accommodated;

FIGURE 9 is a detail illustrating a pivotal connection that is usedthroughout the enclosure frame;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, being taken on a plane normalthereto;

FIGURE 11 is a detail illustrating a pivotal connection that is used inincorporating a top frame element into the construction and which topframe element includes a ridge pole. This view is taken as a sectionthrough a side bar of a horizontal frame element;

FlGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the connection shown in FIGURE 11;

FEGURE i3 is a top plan view of the connection shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 14 isa detailed section taken about on the plane represented bythe line Ll-14 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective of the camper in erected position before theend flaps are folded into effective position;

FIGURE 16 is another perspective looking from the rear showing the rearend flaps in effective position; and

FEGURE 17 is another perspective from the front illus trating the frontflaps in effective position.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts, an automobile body is illustrated in FIGURE 1 andreferred to in its entirety by the reference character B. It is to beclearly understood that the particular body B illustrated is not alimitation on the invention, and the camper hereof may be used with justabout any conventional type of car body. This car body ordinarily wouldinclude a roof or top 1% having exposed or free side edges 11 on theopposite sides thereof.

Referring for the moment more particularly to FIG- URE S, a supportingframework which is mounted on the top 10 is therein illustrated, andreferred to in its entirety by the reference character S. The supportingframework S comprises a front crosspiece 8 that is made of any materialthat is conveniently available, such as wood or metal, and whichpreferably is of the rectangular cross section illustrated. Side bars 12and 13 have their front ends secured to the crosspiece 11 in anywell-known manner which will afford a fixed connection. These side bars12 and 13 preferably take the form of metallic rods of circular crosssection. A rear adjustable crosspiece 14 is formed with passages 15which slidably receive the side rods 12 and 13. A central strut 16 hasits front end fixedly secured to the front crosspiece 11 in any desiredmanner; and its rear end extends beyond the rear ends of the side bars12 and 13 and is formed with a slot 17 opening into the end thereof.This central strut 16 is also formed with a series of spaced apertures18 any one of which is adapted to receive a bolt 19, which also passesthrough a hole formed in the rear crosspiece .14. A nut 26 is threadedon the bolt 19 and maintains the assembled relation.

It is evident that the rear crosspiece 14 maybe adjusted to fit the sizeof the top of any particular car on which the camper is to be mounted.

Referring now again more particularly to FIGURE 1, a plurality ofS-shaped fastening members '21 areishown as securing the supportingframework S in position on the car top 10. Each of these fasteningmembers 21 has an upper hook portion 22 which engages one of the sidebars 12 or 13, and a lower portion 23 which engages a side edge 11 ofthe top 10. In this position, the central strut 16 will ordinarily lieflat on the exposed surface of the car top A tie-down strap 24 is shownas being interposed between the supporting framework S and the car top10, and is adapted to assume the broken-line position of FIGURE 1 intying down the-enclosure when folded into a compact state on theframework S. One end of the strap 24 carries a buckle 25 which is usedin a well-known manner to effect the tie-down.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE'Z, the enclosure frame isreferred to in its entirety by the reference character E, and comprisesa plurality of frame elements. Each of these frame elements is generallyof rectangular formation and is preferably made of metallic tubing whichis lightweight and yet will afford the strength and rigidity which isessential to a structure of this type. Thus the enclosure frame Ecomprises a horizontal frame element a made up of a piece of tubing thatis bent into a U-shaped formation providing sides 26 and 27 and an end28. It will be noted that the end 28 is joined to the sides 26 and 27 bybends 29. Extending between the sides 26 and 27 at points spaced fromthe front ends thereof is a crosspiece 30 the ends of which are securedto the sides 26 and 27 in any well-known manner, such as by welding. Thefree ends of the sides 26 and 27 are anchored to a cross strut 3-1 whichpreferably is of rectangular cross section.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 6, 7, and 8, the cross strut31 is shown as formed with a slot 32 that is slightly elongated for apurpose to be later described. A pivot pin is designated 33; and at apoint spaced from its lower end has fixedly secured thereto a collar 34which engages the upper face of the central strut 16 of the'supportingframework S. The lower portion of the pivot pin 33 is threaded as shownat 35, and screwed onto this threaded portion is a wing nut 36, therebeing a washer 37 interposed between the nut 36 and the lower face ofthe strut 16. It is evident that his arrangement of the collar 34 andnut 36 provides for mounting the pivot pin at an appropriate place inthe slot 17.

A sleeve 38 has a bore 39 which receives the pivot pin 33 and carries aforwardly extending ear 40 to which is pivotally connected, as by ahorizontal pin 41, a pair of complemental ears 42 that extend forwardlyfrom the cross strut 31. The pivot pin 33 also passes through theelongated slot 32.

The construction described immediately above provides for pivotallymounting the enclosure frame E on the supporting frame S on a verticalaxis so that it may be swung around from a compact position on top ofthe car into the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 in which it is aboutto be unfolded into an erected position. Moreover, variations in theheights of the ears on which the camper is mounted are accommodated dueto the fact that the sleeve 38 may move vertically on the pivot pin '33with the elongated slot 32 accommodating the difference in heights whileassuring that the erected height of the camper is constant.

A side frame element 0 comprises a lower side bar 43, a rear end bar 44,a front end bar 45, and a ridge pole 46. These parts 43, 44, 45, and 46define a rectangular frame element that is pivotally mounted on the side27 of the horizontal frame a by the pivotal connection shown in FIGURES11-14, inclusive. However, it will be noted that each of the end bars 44 and 45 are of a two-piece construction which renders the side frameelement 0 in its collapsible condition about the side 27. Inasmuch asthese'two-piece constructions are duplicates, only one of them isdescribed in detail as illustrated in FIGURES 11-14, inclusive. Thus,the end bar 44 is shown as being made up of sections 47 and 48. Thesection 47 adjacent to its lower end is formed with a pair of spacedears 49 and 50. These ears have aligned openings 51 which pivotallyreceive the side 27. Beyond the ears 49 and 50 and at its 'free end thesection 47 is provided with a shoulder 52.

The lower section 48 has a U-shaped strap 53 secured to its upper freeend by a pin 54. This strap is located between the ears 49 and 50 andpasses about the side 27. It is evident that both the end-bar sections47 and '48 are pivotally mounted on the side 27 and are in pivotalrelation with respect to one another, with the pivotal movement in onedirection being limited by the shoulder 52. With this arrangement, thesections 48 and 47 may be moved upwardly towards one another to assume acollapsed condition, yet downward movement beyond the fully extendedposition is prevented by the shoulders 52. Moreover, when the camper isin erected position, the ridge pole 46 assumes a position substantiallymidway and over the horizontal frame a.

A second side frame element is referred to in its entirety by thereference character 0?, and comprises a metallic tube that is bent intoa. U-shaped formation providing a side bar 55 and end bars 56 and 57.The free end of each of the end bars 56 and 57 is secured to the side 26by a pivotal connection of the type shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10.Inasmuch as these pivotal connections are duplicates and are repeated inother places throughout the construction of the enclosure frame, onlyone of them is herein described in detail. Thus, the free ends of theend bars 56 and 57 are shown as each having a U-shaped strap 58 securedthereto by spaced cross-pins 59 the ends of which may be riveted orsecured in any known manner to achieve a permanent connection. Thestraps 58 pass around the side 26 to achieve the pivotal connection bythe end bars 56 and 57 and the side 26.

A lower side frame element 1 is shown as comprising a metallic tubularmember of U-shaped formation providing a bottom bar 60 and end bars 61and 62, with the upper ends of the latter pivotally connected to thesidebar 55 by connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

Another lower side frame element is designated g, and comprises ametallic tubular member fashioned into the U-shape providing a bottombar 63, end bars 64 and 65 which are pivotally connected to the side bar43 by pivotal connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

A front frame element is designated h, and comprises a metallic tubularmember of U-shape providing a bottom bar 66 and vertical bars 67 and 68which are pivotally connected to the crosspiece 30 by pivotalconnections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

A rear frame element is referred to inits entirety by the referencecharacter 2', and comprises a metallic tubular U-shaped piece providinga bottom bar 69 and vertical bars 70 and 71, with the upper ends of thelatter being pivotally connected to the rear crosspiece 28 by pivotalconnections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

In erected position, front and rear end cross braces extend between the"lower corners of the end frames and the lower corners of the lower sideframe elements. These cross braces are designated 72, 73, '74, and 75.Each of these cross braces has a pivot such as shown at 76 at its innerend which is carried by a swivel ring 9 on one of the vertical barswhere the end frames join, and a hook 77 at its outer end to engage oneof the bottom bars of the lower side frame elements.

A piece of any desired fabric, such as canvas or a comparable materialsuch as plastic, is permanently secured over the several side frameelements and is designated 78. The connection of the fabric to the sideframe elements may be achieved in any well-known manner, such as bystitching. Secured to the front edge of this fabric piece 78 are aplurality of diamond-shaped sections 7? which are adapted to be foldedrearwardly over the main body of the fabric in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 15 when the enclosure is to be stored away in a compactcondition, but which may be folded into the effective position shown inFIGURE 17 when the enclosure is erected. Likewise, a plurality ofdiamond-shaped sections 80 are, integrally joined to the rear edge ofthe main body of the fabric 78, and are folded back thereover in themanner depicted in FIGURE 15 when the enclosure is not to be used, butwhich may be folded into the position of FIGURE 16 when the enclosure isto be used. An end flap or curtain is shown at 81 as being secured tothe rear crosspiece 28 by curtain rings 82 in a well-known manner, andmay constitute the rear-door entrance to the enclosure. If desired, thisconstruction may be duplicated for the front end frame h.

Operation While the manner of using the auto camper of this invention isbelieved to be obvious from the illustration of the drawings anddescription of parts given, it may be briefly outlined as follows.

It will be assumed that the supporting frame S is secured to the car topby the fastening members 21, and the enclosure frame is folded into acompact condition and tied down onto the supporting framework S by thestrap 24. When the auto camper is to be used, the strap 24 is firstreleased at the buckle 25 and let fall into the position of FIGURE 1.The enclosure frame E is now swung rearwardly about the pivot pin 33into the position of FIG- URE 1. From this position, the front and rearend frames h and i are first swung downwardly in the manner depicted inFIGURE 4 so that the bottom bars 66 and 69 supportingly engage theground surface. This action may be accompanied by some movement of thesleeve 38 on the pivot pin '33 to accommodate any discrepancies betweenthe relative height of the ground surface and the car top. The sideframe elements a, c, d, f, and g are then swung outwardly into theirerected positions in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. In this position, thebottom bars 60 and 63 will engage the ground. The several cross braces72, 73, 74, and 75 are then hooked into their effective positions to acompletely erected position of the framework. The front fabric flaps 79are then folded over into the position of FIGURE 17 and the rear flaps80 into the position of FIGURE 16. The camper is now in erected positionand is ready for occupancy.

When it is to be stored away in a compact condition on the car top, aprocedure which is the exact reverse of that described is carried out.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbeforeset forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms, and devicesillustrated and described, because various modifications of thesedetails may be provided in putting the invention into practice withinthe purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework, means forsecuring said framework to the top of an automobile, an enclosure framepivotally mounted on one end of said supporting framework and on avertical axis, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frameelement having a pair of sides, a rear end and a cross strut at itsfront end, a crosspiece spaced from said strut, a front end frameelement pivotally mounted on said crosspiece, a rear-end frame elementpivotally mounted on said rear end, side frame elements pivotallymounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frameelements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, hooked crosspiecesextending from the lower corners of said end frame elements to thecorresponding corners of said lower side frame elements when saidenclosure frame is in an erected position, and fabric covering saidvarious frame elements.

2. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework comprising afront end crosspiece, side bars having their front ends fixedly securedto said front crosspiece, an adjustable crosspiece carried by said sidebars, a central-strut having its front end fixedly secured to said frontcrosspiece, and means for detachably connecting said strut to saidadjustable crosspiece; means for securing said framework to the top ofan automobile, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted on one end of saidsupporting framework and on a vertical axis, a plurality of frameelements included in said enclosure frame, said frame elements beingpivotally connected, and fabric covering said frame elements.

3. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework comprising afront end crosspiece, side bars having their front ends fixedly securedto said crosspiece, an adjustable crosspiece carried by said side bars,a central strut having its front end fixedly secured to said frontcrosspiece and having a slot opening onto the rear end of said strut,means for detachably connecting said central strut to said adjustablecrosspiece, means for securing said framework to the top of anautomobile, a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of saidcentral strut, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted on said pivot pinfor swinging movement thereabout and vertical movement therealong, saidenclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a crossstrut at its front end, a pair of sides and an end, said cross strutbeing formed with a central elongated opening, a sleeve pivotallymounted on a horizontal axis on the front edge of said cross strut andhaving a bore in alignment with said opening, said vertical pivot pinbeing received in said aligned opening and bore, side frame elementspivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lowerside frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an endframe element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering saidvarious frame elements. I

4. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted toextend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing saidframework to the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof,a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supportingframework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of saidsupporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for vertical movementalong said pin and for swinging movement about the axis of said pin to aposition rearward of the automobile at a selected height within thelimits of said pin, a plurality of frame elements included in saidenclosure frame, said frame elements being pivotally connected forerection on the ground behind the automobile, and fabric covering saidframe elements.

5. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted toextend longitudinally of an automobile,

means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile extendinglongitudinally thereof, a vertical pivot pin upstanding at the rear endof said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted atthe rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin forvertical movement along said pin and for swinging movement about theaxis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selectedheight within the limits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: ahorizontal frame element having a cross strut at its front end, a pairof sides and an end; side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sidesand including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotallymounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mountedon said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

6. in an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted toextend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing saidframework to the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof,a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supportingframework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of saidsupporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement verticallyalong said pin and for swinging movement about an axis of said pin to aposition rearward of the automobile at a selected height within thelimits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frameelement having a cross strut at its front end, a crosspiece spaced fromsaid strut, a front end frame element pivotally mounted on saidcrosspiece, a

pair of sides and an end; side frame elements pivotally mounted on saidsides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotallymounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mountedon said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

7. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted toextend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing saidframework to the top of .an automobile extending longitudinally thereof,a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supportingframework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of saidsupporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement verticallyalong said pin and for swinging movement about the axis of said pin to aposition rearward of the automobile at a selected height within thelimits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frameelement having a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and anend; said strut being formed with a central elongate opening, a sleevepivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on the front edge of said strutand having a bore in alignment with said opening, said vertical pivotpin being engaged in said aligned opening and bore, side frame elementspivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lowerside frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an endframe element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering saidvarious frame elements.

8. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted toextend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing saidframework on the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof,a' vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supportingframework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of saidsupporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement verticallyalong said pin and for swing ing movement about the axis of said pin toa position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within thelimits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frameelementhaving a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and anend; side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and'includinglower side bars, one of said side frame elements havingsectional end bars pivotally mounted on one of said sides with the uppersections carrying a ridge pole adapted to be positioned over saidhorizontal frame when said enclosure frame is in an erected position,lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said "lower side bars, anend frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric coveringsaid various frame elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

